Starting at our setting

Early Explorers uses a key person approach. A key group includes two or three key workers, one of which will be given particular responsibility for your child. Your child's key group worker will be the person who works with you to make sure that we provide opportunities suitable for your child's particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at the setting, she/he will help your child to settle and throughout your child's time at the setting, she/he will help your child to benefit from the setting's activities.

Our well-being co-ordinator is Sam Adams .

Before starting

If possible a home visit will be arranged at a time convenient to you. A manager and the lead staff member of your child’s key group will visit to develop a supportive relationship and understanding of your child’s interest and individual needs. At this time we will discuss and plan the settling in process, suitable for yourself and your child.

The first days

We want your child to feel happy and safe with us. To make sure that this is the case, a member of your child’s key group will support your child, play alongside and will continue to do so each session until it is felt that a little more independence is suitable. This supporting can vary from just an hour to several weeks and is led by each child’s individual needs. As parents ourselves we understand that the first few sessions can be very daunting for parents and for this reason we will send regular text updates to ease any worries.

Toilet Training

It is not our expectation that your child should be “dry” before they start preschool we are happy for the children to be at any stage of toilet training and will work with you as the skills are developed. Nappies and wipes need to be provided each day.

Clothing

We provide protective clothing for the children when they play with messy activities or explore in forest school, but it is advisable to send them in with old clothes that can get messy. 

We encourage children to gain the skills that help them to be independent and look after themselves, including taking themselves to the toilet and taking off, and putting on, outdoor clothes. Clothing that is easy for them to manage will help them to do this, for example velcro fastening on shoes.